Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IS ALSO A SPIRITUAL CRISIS:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
The financial mess and the credit crisis in America will have dire consequences and will negatively affect all Americans. The $700 billion rescue or non-rescue of the financial industry is expected to have long-term negative affects upon “Main Street” and that means that the dire economic problems will have a more devastating affect upon blacks and other minorities, and before all of this is over, people will lose jobs and businesses will fail. Anyone who has had Economics 101 can see how bad this situation is; and black people will be the recipients of the direst results of this situation. I suspect that the African Methodist Episcopal Church will feel the affects of this financial mess also and that makes this crisis a spiritual crisis.
Churches are not just spiritual entities, churches are business entities also, and for that reason the AME Church leadership must take responsibility and proactively address the present financial situation. The money crisis in America is a reality; American families and countries all over the world will feel the affects of the crisis. Thomas Friedman, an Op-Ed Columnist in The New York Times reminds those who think this problem does not affect them, “You may not own any stocks, but your pension fund owned some Lehman Brothers commercial paper and your regional bank held subprime mortgage bonds, which is why you were able to refinance your house two years ago… And your local airport was insured by A.I.G., and your local municipality sold municipal bonds on Wall Street to finance your street’s new sewer system, and your local car company depended on the credit marks to finance your auto loan…” Employment is affected by what happens on Wall Street and in the halls of Congress.
If Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup are being adversely affected, you can believe that the African Methodist Episcopal Church will also be affected. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley stocks have fallen, as have the values of regional banks like National City Corporation, Wachovia, Downey Financial Corporation and Sovereign Bancorp. The seizure of Washington Mutual and who knows what other financial institutions will be seized; has had, and will have a negative affect upon the economy and cause investors to be cautious. The financial landscape is being rearranged and all of the financial mess needs to be sorted out at all levels.
With all that’s going on in the financial sector, every member of the AME Church will feel the pinch. People will lose jobs, unemployment will increase, retirement funds will be adversely affected, lines of credit will be harder to acquire; and it will be harder to borrow money. People are concerned about the safety of their investments, their retirement portfolios, their retirement status, whether they should invest, and the consequences of not being able to borrow money; and what happens when their homes or automobiles need major repairs and they are not able to borrow money to make needed repairs.
Pastors are already feeling the pinch in the local churches. Episcopal leaders and presiding elders are feeling the pinch. The AME treasurer, Dr. Richard Lewis will certainly feel the pinch. The Church’s line of credit may be in jeopardy and that may mean that connectional salaries, monthly department allocations; monthly stipends for all of our educational institutions could potentially be in jeopardy, not to mention, Dr. Jerome Harris’ oversight of our annuity and pension fund. The reality might be that local church offerings might be affected.
This should not be a time for panic, but a time to proactively address the issues that confront individual members and their families and the connectional AME Church. It might be something as simple as Clarence B. Johns III, a Detroit banker explained; “The real message regarding the financial crisis for most of us is, ‘Keep those credit card accounts open, 'cause you ain't gonna be able to get new credit any time soon.’" Another word of advice, try not to lose your job. Student loans will be harder to get and you need to watch your 401K and be patient, this situation will probably turn around, not sure how quickly, but it will turn around. Don’t borrow money to enhance your life-style; and hold off buying that new car. Don’t go into 401C for impulse purchases and try to save more. Some economists say the economy is going into a recession.
Pastors and local church officers need a strategy and will need to be trained; some will need a crash course in economics; and presiding elders will need a strategy too.
Some have asked if the Church should consider taking steps to combine and/or shorten connectional and district meetings. Do public offerings decline when meetings are combined / shortened? Would public offerings increase when hotel and sustentation costs decrease?
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, presiding prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District goes a step further in dealing with the crisis. He suggests, “It's at least worth having a day-long summit: inclusive of bishops, General Officers (especially the CFO), and invited personnel like members of Congress, and staffers at the federal and state levels, economists, and financial planners who happen to be AME. Out of such a summit, we might consider an official statement and share strategies that would be helpful for our members. However, because the problem is behemoth, we probably should consider a summit inclusive of the leadership of all the black denominations, such as the former Congress of National Black Churches.”
Is there a word from the leadership of our Zion that can be given to pastors so that they can address this issue in an intelligent way? If the economists and the news media are correct, we are in for tough days ahead and it will not be, “business as usual.”
Are we thinking about what all of this means for the African Methodist Episcopal Church? Should we be giving guidance to the members of our local churches? How should we advise them? Should we be giving our presiding elders and pastors “talking points” that addresses this situation and its relationship to stewardship? How will this situation affect our membership? Should we do nothing and hope for the best?
I believe that it is more effective and more helpful to be proactive rather than reactive. This problem will be with us for a while; I have heard 2015 and that’s the reason I believe that this issue must be addressed by the leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The financial crisis in America is not just an economic crisis; it is a spiritual crisis, and the AME Church knows how to handle spiritual crises.
2. SO WHO CARES ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ:
And now that we are confronted with a financial crisis, the War in Iraq has slipped to the back burner. Almost 4200 lives have been lost in the war and it’s hardly ever mentioned.
The Iraq War is on the “back burner.” Young men and women losing their lives is also a spiritual issue.
3. REMINDER FOR CHURCH BULLETINS:
- Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 2, 2008.
At 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, clocks are set back one hour and local daylight time becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time.
Not all places in the U.S. observe daylight time. In particular, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not use it. Indiana adopted its use beginning in 2006.
- November 30th is the first Sunday in Advent Season
4. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: Non-receipt of purchased General Conference DVDs and CDs
I wish to commend you for the fine job you are doing as Editor of The Christian Recorder.
I was appreciative of the information shared in The Christian Recorder regarding the purchase of DVDs and CDs of the 2008 General Conference sessions. I used the form published in The Christian Recorder to order four DVDs in early September 2008. Prior to ordering the DVDs, I spoke with Valerie Taylor of C & V Video & Photography who told me that the DVDs that I wanted were available and that she would call me when she received my order to let me know that she had received it and then send the DVDs out as soon as she received my order. She told me to add $2.00 postage to the order which I did. I sent my order to the address noted at the top of the order form and waited for my DVDs. In the meantime, I checked with my financial institution and found that my check for this order had cleared on September 10, 2008, an indication that my order had been received. However, as of this date, September 27, 2008 I have not received the DVDs.
I called C & V Video on September 20, 2008 and left a message. I have not gotten a response. I emailed this organization on September 23, 2008. I have not received a response to my email. I have made other calls at different times of the day and reached the voice mail, but did not leave a message. In my view, if there is a problem with my order, I should have received a message from this company stating the problem. I have not received such a message.
Needless to say, I am very upset about my dealings with this company. I had similar concerns after the 2004 General Conference. However, I have no data to substantiate my problems with C & V Video in 2004. I only did business with them this time - 2008 - because The Christian Recorder had published the ordering information and I felt that they could be relied upon to do the right thing by their customers.
Is there anything that you can do to help me in this situation? I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Catherine E. Harris
- To the Editor:
RE: 2008 General Conference Legislation
I have a question I hope you can answer for me: Can the legislation passed at the July 2008 General Conference be utilized, and acted upon prior to their appearing in the new Book of Discipline?
Mrs. Barbara J. Ransom
Editor’s Response: Sister Ransom – I spoke with Dr. Fugh who said, “The legislation passed at the July 2008 General Conference can be utilized, and acted upon prior to appearing in the 2008 Book of Discipline. The legislation passed that the 2008 General Conference was law at the close of the General Conference.”
- To the Editor:
I find the Christian Recorder a very useful tool for my life and to keep up with the thinking of today's church work; I look forward to every email message and I pass so many of the articles on to my friends, family members and church members. Some of my young adult friends (I am a senior-citizen) have joined to find out more about the church'.
Thanks for your variety of articles.
Sister Jacqualine Scott
Mayo AME Church
Matteson, IL
5. GWEN IFILL, AN AME TO MODERATE 2008 VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE:
Submitted by Sister Carla Owens
Did you know that Gwen Ifill is an AME? Gwen Ifill was born in New York City, the fifth of six kids to the late AME General Secretary O. Urcille and Eleanor Ifill. She was raised in several cities throughout the New England and the Eastern Seaboard during her youth, and graduated from Simmons College in Boston, MA.
Gwen is a veteran journalist and is the moderator of Washington Week in Review. She worked for the Boston Herald, Baltimore Evening Sun, The Washington Post, The New York Times and NBC.
She moderated the Vice Presidential Debate in 2004, and will moderate the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin. The debate is Thursday, October 2, 2008 at Washington University here in St. Louis and will be televised nationwide.
Gwen lives in Washington, DC and is a member of Metropolitan AME Church. Her brother is Rev. Earle Ifill, Presiding Elder of the Atlanta East District.
*This announcement appears on the Wayman AME Church Website www.waymanamestl.org and used with permission.
6. RACE, FAITH AND CULTURE: A DISCUSSION:
A black pastor and white conservative churchman discuss the challenges of being white/black in America!
Orange County …..A discussion on race 7 pm, Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at St. James Anglican Church, 3209 Via Lido, Newport, CA. Two men drawn by faith to a Fuller Seminary class have found a way to talk openly about race in America. By this experience they’ve been drawn into a deeper relationship with each other and found this relationship informing their individual journeys of faith. Mark Wille, a middle aged white man, is a layman at Saint James Anglican Church in Newport Beach; the Rev. Mark Whitlock, an African American, is the pastor of Christ Our Redeemer (COR) AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church in Irvine.
As we approach a watershed election and the 45th anniversary of the Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream Speech,” these two men feel led to share their testimony about God’s grace and to encourage others to engage in such discussions on race, culture and faith. On this evening, Mark Wille and the Rev. Mark Whitlock will share their story in the form of a witness.
Mark Wille has been member of Saint James church for over 20 years. He is a CPA with a practice in Newport Beach.
The Rev. Mark Whitlock is the senior pastor of the largest black church in South Orange County. Mark is member of several Boards of Directors including the Harvard Divinity School's Summer Leadership Institute, KOCE Television, The First American Corporation, OC Human Relations Committee, ACLU, NAACP and Anti Defamation League. He is a former California Commissioner for the State Film Commission and an LA City Commissioner. He is the director of the Passing the Mantle Program at USC’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
About Christ Our Redeemer AME Church - COR is a multi-racial African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Orange County. The AME Church is the oldest African American denomination in the United States, having been founded in 1787 by former slaves. COR has historically provided help for underserved constituents, operated social justice programs, and economic development initiatives. COR, the largest black church in South Orange County is committed to ending the cycle of poverty. For more information about this important partnership, call the Rev. Mark Whitlock, Senior Minister, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church at (949) 955-0014.
7. THE MOVIE, MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA IS A MUST SEE MOVIE; MAKE SURE THAT THE MOVIE YOU PAID FOR IS LISTED ON YOUR TICKET STUB:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I took off a couple of hours to go to see Spike Lee’s new movie, Miracle at St. Anna. I wanted to see it today because the reviewer in The Tennessean described the movie as ambitious and angry; and gave the movie a Two-Star rating (Four stars is the highest rating).
In a recent issue of The New York Times, the reviewer made some positive comments about the movie, but added that the movie was “corny and didactic,” whatever that means. The term, “didactic” in theological terms is positive, but the reviewer’s use of the word “corny” with it was not meant to be positive. I stopped what I was doing because I wanted to evaluate Miracle at St. Anna for myself.
I have a different take on the Miracle at St. Anna than the reviewers for The Tennessean and The New York Times.
Out of Four-Stars, I give the movie a Four-Star rating, plus an additional star.
It was marvelous movie that made the point that African American and Latino soldiers fought as bravely during World War II as white soldiers. I won’t give the plot away, but Spike Lee does a masterful job of correcting the misconception of previous World War II movies that ignored the wartime contributions of African American and Latino soldiers. The back story of the movie is also powerful and the movie also addressed the racial injustices hurled at black soldiers. I am sure those scenes were hard for white movie reviewers; those scenes hit hard, but the issue of injustice needed to be addressed. I loved the Miracle at St. Anna from the beginning to the very end. I couldn’t keep back the tears during the final scenes of the movie; a big black man sitting in the movie with tears rolling down my face. It was a powerful movie and I didn’t want it to end; and it was long movie. I must see it again and I plan to purchase it when it comes out on DVD.
Miracle at St. Anna is the best war movie I have ever seen; better than Saving Private Ryan, my favorite war movie; better than Green Berets, directed by John Wayne (I went back and looked at The New York Times and the reviewer of The Green Berets gave that movie a lackadaisical rating also).
Miracle at St. Anna is Spike Lee’s best movie. I strongly recommend it.
The movie is rated R for strong war violence, language and some sexual content.
The reason for writing this review
The reason I am writing this review is because there was one other thing that happened at the theater that I want to share with you; and the same thing happened to some theater-goers a few years ago.
After I paid for my ticket, my wife, Rev. Charlotte, and I were going to the auditorium number that was listed on the ticket and that’s when I noticed that the ticket clerk had given me a ticket for another movie, Eagle Eye. I was livid because I know that this type of thing happens with black movies, but it hadn’t happened to me before today. I immediately went to the manager and told him that I wanted to get the ticket for Miracle at St. Anna. It took a while, but I got the correct ticket for the movie, Miracle at St. Anna, that I paid to see.
If you see this, or any movie, make sure that you receive the ticket for the movie want to see and not the ticket for another movie. I wonder how many numbers have been taken from black directed and produced movies. I am sure that it happens all of the time and we must be vigilant!
8. BISHOP MCKENZIE TO PARTICIPATE IN VESPER SERVICE AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:
You are invited to join President Robert Fisher of Belmont University for our Debate ’08 Vesper Service that will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 4:00 p.m. Our homilist is the Rev. David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World, a citizens' anti-hunger movement which focuses on education about hunger and on influencing public policies on hunger and poverty.
The Rev. David Beckmann was educated at the London School of Economics and Yale University and ordained as a “missionary economist” by the Lutheran Church. He worked in rural development in Bangladesh and for 15 years with the World Bank. Also officiating at the service are Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Very Rev. David Perkin, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Nashville; and Rev. Dr. Todd Lake, Vice President for Spiritual Development at Belmont University. The Rev. Anne Stevenson of Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral is our host. Music will be provided by Belmont’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Refreshments will be served following the service and complementary parking will be available in several lots surrounding the church.
Submitted by Shawnda Hines, Media Associate for Bread for the World
Bread for the World
50 F Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20001
Direct 301.960.4913
www.bread.org
9. THE TALL TALENTED TOUGH TERRIFIC AND OH, SO TANTALIZING TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WELCOMED RECEPTION FOR THE EPISCOPAL FAMILY:
*The Rev. Charles B. Frost, Sr
All roads in Arkansas led to the beautiful rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol building where The Tall Talented Tough Terrific and Oh, so Tantalizing Twelfth Episcopal District welcomed our new bishop and his family, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Green, Sr., Supervisor Dr. Ava Green and their son Stephen Green
Among the well-wishers, were many Arkansas members of the 12th Episcopal District, as well as, several Oklahomans who were planning a similar event in Oklahoma City. Several government dignitaries were also on hand or sent representatives to make presentations to our new Bishop and his family. Bishop John Crutchfield of the United Methodist Episcopal Church; Representative Stephanie Flowers accompanied by State Senator Tracy Steel; Representative Wilhelmina Lewellen representing the Governor of the Great State of Arkansas; Mrs. Rennea Bullock, Deputy Director representing Charlie Daniels, the Secretary of State, Chief Deputy Peggy Gram; US Senator Vic Snyder, Pulaski County Judge F.G. (Buddy) Villines III, Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay, Chairman of the Black Caucus, Erma Hunter Brown and many others were present.
Under the resplendent dome of the State Capitol, our new Bishop was greeted and entertains with live music, a beautiful perpetual PowerPoint presentation, and outstanding refreshments; all graciously served by the well- trained YPD hostesses.
Master Stephen Green thanked everyone for the welcome and brought many to laughter as he stated that he was happy to share his parents with us. Dr. Ava Green reminded everyone that the annual conferences were coming and that she was working hard on transitioning their family to the 12th Episcopal District.
As Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr. brought greetings to the Tantalizing 12th District, he returned the favor as he set fire to the spirits of the attendees with his fervent address. He promised that he would be with the 12th Episcopal District “for the long haul” brought cheers from the crowds who had refused to leave. Taking seats wherever they could perch around the circular rotunda’s edifice. Bishop Green physically demonstrated that we as members are connected together and that as we continue to lift ourselves up to another level, we could not help but lift each other as well.
Amongst the flashing cameras, people taking snap shots and making videos with their camera phones, you could not help but feel that this was moment of greatness, a moment that depicted that this will truly a season of change.
*The Rev. Charles B. Frost, Sr. serves as the 12th Episcopal District Conference Secretaries Coordinator
10. DEVOTIONAL - ARE YOU TONING UP THE PHYSICAL OR THE SPIRITUAL:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
There are volumes of information available in regard to our health. There are a number of audio and video materials; and there are a number of talk shows with their special programs telling viewer how they can maintain a healthy physique. Also, We can find all kinds of material dealing with losing, gaining and maintaining weight. People are flocking to health food stores looking for herbs that may help them maintain good health.
Some people are paying exorbitant fees joining health clubs and purchasing sophisticated equipment to enhance their physical appearance. You can see some people jogging, walking, running, lifting weights; doing sit-ups and push-ups; and digesting various kinds of vitamins in the quest for better health.
runners and walkers jog, jog and walk for miles, passing churches and beggars on the street. Some of those who are so attentive to their physique and their health never attend church or do anything to help the needy and the disenfranchised. Some live within blocks of a church but never attend worship services. Others jog on by injured and hurting human beings and jog on by robbery victims and run past person who are crying for help.
So many people in our society are preoccupied with working on their biceps and triceps and neglecting their precepts and concepts.
So I find it not hard to postulate that there is going to be many healthy people in hell. We talk so much about the Heavenly Host; we must also acknowledge that Hell also has a host.
I applaud those who are health conscious. But when you run, consider running the race that is set before us. If you are lifting don't forget to life somebody up. If you are doing push-ups, be sure you are pushing up off your knees after praying. If you are taking vitamins try digesting the "bread of life". If you are paying exorbitant fees to join a health club, try giving a tenth or a portion of what God has blessed you with, to God.
I said to my Pastor the other day that there are going to be many healthy people in hell. Hell is going to be one healthy place. Why do we expend so much energy and money on our bodies and neglect our soul?
The Rev. N.T. Pitts, Pastor is a retired pastor living in Eatonville, Florida, the oldest incorporated black city
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce that the 8th Episcopal District has lost another one of its Christian Soldiers; The Reverend Charley Lee Woodley, Presiding Elder Emeritus, went home to be with our Lord on September 21, 2008.
The Rev. Charley Lee Woodley served in the United States Army and the 10th U.S Calvary. He was also a member of the 92nd Infantry Division, known as the Buffalo Soldiers. After Rev. Woodley's was honorable discharged from service he studied at Campbell College, Jackson, Mississippi, where he received his ministerial training. Rev. Woodley served as pastor for churches in the 8th Episcopal District and served as Presiding Elder for over forty (40) years. Presiding Elder Woodley retired on November 20, 2003.
Rev. Woodley' wife preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories five (5) children: Eugene Orville Fisher (Alma), Shelton Allen Woodley (Ethel), Theodore Howard Woodley (Barbara), Charlie Lee Woodley (Mary), Willie Thelma Woodley; nine (9) grandchildren, and eleven (11) great grandchildren.
Please pray for the family as they celebrate the homegoing of Presiding Elder Charley Lee Woodley.
Service Arrangements for Rev. Charley Lee Woodley, Presiding Elder Emeritus:
The funeral has been held.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to:
Bethel A. M. E. Church
403 South Edwards Avenue
Mound Bayou, Mississippi 38762
Phone: 662-741-2864
The Rev. Timothy Stallworth, Sr., Pastor
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Bishop Preston Warren Williams II, Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District regrets to inform you that Colonel Fred Leven of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Columbia, South Carolina passed on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. He was a loyal and faithful member of the A.M.E. Church and served faithfully with the Lay Organization. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Service arrangements for Colonel Fred Leven:
The Funeral Service:
Monday, September 29, 2008
12:00 Noon
Bethel A.M.E. Church
819 Woodrow Street
Columbia, SC 29205
The Rev. Dr. Ronnie E. Brailsford, Sr. - Pastor
Phone: 803-779-0138
Fax: 803-779-7243
Bethel819@hotmail.com
Visitation Service:
Sunday, September 28, 2008
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Leevy's Funeral Home
Taylor Street Chapel
1831 Taylor Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 771-7799
www.leevy.com
Professional services are entrusted to:
Leevy's Funeral Home
Taylor Street Chapel
1831 Taylor Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 771-7799
www.leevy.com
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Doris Leven
223 Woodlands Ridge Road
Columbia, SC 29229
Phone: 803-736-5423
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to share news of the passing of Mrs. Winona Monzella Flanigan, widow of the late Reverend Carlton N. Flanigan. Mrs. Winona Monzella Flanigan was the very gracious first lady of Wayman AME Church of Dayton, Ohio for twenty-five plus years and was a member of the Women's Missionary Society for over fifty years.
Mrs. Flanigan passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Maria Joseph Living Care Center. She was 93 years old. (Two- weeks short of being 94)
She is survived by a son, Ralph Branson of Chillicothe, Ohio, two grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Winona Monzella Flanigan were held on Friday, September 19, 2008.
Condolences may be sent to her family:
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Branson
190 Gerber Avenue
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Margaret N. Bell. Mrs. Bell was the past President of the New York Conference Women's Missionary Society. She just completed her eight-year term at the Annual Conference this past April.
The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Thursday, October 2, 2008:
Viewing: 6:00 p.m.
Wake: 7:00 p.m.
Viewing and Funeral - Friday, October 3, 2008
Viewing: 10:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.
Services on both days will be held at:
Bethel AME Church
20 Simmons Street
Copiague, NY 11726
Phone: 631-842-8463
Fax: 631-841-3408
The Rev. Stanley G. Smith, Pastor
Bishop Richard F. Norris, Eulogist
Condolences may be sent to:
Vanessia Curr (Mrs. Bell's daughter)
83 Madison Avenue
Amityville, NY 11701
Phone: 631-789-8686
Fax: 631-789-0638
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
On behalf of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Episcopal Supervisor Stan McKenzie of the 13th Episcopal District, I regretfully inform you of the passing of Local Elder, the Reverend Thomas H. Mays, Jr. He was a longtime member of St. Phillips AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee (Tennessee Conference-South Nashville District).
The Reverend Thomas H. Mays Jr. was licensed to preach at St. Phillips by Presiding Elder William F. Scruggs, during the pastorate of the late Reverend Eddie L. Marshall.
The visitation will be Friday, October 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., with Homegoing Service to follow at:
St. Phillips AME Church
904 33rd Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
Services provided by:
Smith Brothers Funeral Home
708 Monroe Street
Nashville, TN 37208
615/726-1476
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Thelma M. Smith
5 Belle Forrest Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206-2219
615/228-6615
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully announce the passing of Brother Tommy Ray Jordon the husband of the Rev. Jeanadair Jordon, Associate Pastor at Mt. Zion AME Church, Italy, Texas - Paul Quinn District-Northwest Texas Conference.
The following information has been provided.
Wake:
Thursday - October 2, 2008
7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M
Community Funeral Home
1412 E. Main Street
Waxahachie, Texas 75165
Phone: (972) 937-5380
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, October 3, 2008
11:00 A.M.
Rice Chapel AME Church
4122 S. Marsalis Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75216
Phone: (214) 376-6527
The Rev. Dr. Gregory H. Kimble, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Jeanadair Jordon
5835 Spring Glen
Dallas, Texas 75232
Phone: (214) 374-1175
Email: jeanjordan@att.net
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
18. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
